Feasibility Studies Completed for North-South Highway Extension Project

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced that detailed feasibility studies are now being completed for the North-South Highway Extension Project, which will expand the existing network to better accommodate traffic demands.

Making his contribution to the 2026/27 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 19, Dr. Holness noted that the north coast corridor, along with the Drax Hall and Mammee Bay stretch in St. Ann, has rapidly evolved into one of Jamaica’s most dynamic commercial zones.

“New businesses, new housing developments, new hospitality enterprises, and new entrepreneurial energy have concentrated in this corridor with remarkable momentum,” he said.

Dr. Holness emphasised that the Government intends to support and sustain this growth by addressing mounting traffic challenges in the area.

“The Government wants to support and deepen that energy, not for it to be strangled by the congestion but for it to properly carry the traffic load of the area,” he added.

The Prime Minister pointed out that during major weekend events, traffic congestion extends for miles from St. Ann into the neighbouring Trelawny parish, noting that the existing north coast highway has exceeded its capacity, due to the very development it facilitated.

He also referenced challenges experienced under the South Coast Highway Improvement Project, indicating that upgrading heavily trafficked roadways while in use creates significant disruption.

“Attempting to upgrade a heavily used roadway while traffic is still flowing through it… causes disruption and dislocation that simply cannot be absorbed by communities and businesses that depend on that corridor for their livelihoods,” he said.

Dr. Holness indicated that the Government’s approach will be to construct an alternative route before undertaking major upgrades to the existing roadway.

According to the Prime Minister, the proposed extension will include two segments branching from a new grade-separated interchange near Mammee Bay, one extending westward to Discovery Bay in St. Ann, and one eastward to Tower Isle in St. Mary.

“Together, these extensions will create a high-speed, tolled alternative to the existing north coast road… diverting through-traffic away from the congested commercial corridor, reducing journey times… and unlocking the tourism and investment potential of the wider north coast,” Dr. Holness said.

He further indicated that once the extension project is sufficiently advanced, the Government will move to implement the North Coast Highway Improvement Project, which will upgrade the existing roadway from Montego Bay to Drax Hall, including the dualisation of key sections where necessary.

Underscoring the significance of the investment, the Prime Minister described the Drax Hall corridor as a key driver of economic activity.

“The Drax Hall corridor is not a problem to be managed. It is a success story to be expanded,” he said.

“With this investment, we give it the infrastructure it deserves, and we unlock the next chapter of growth along Jamaica’s most visited coastline,” Dr. Holness added.